Happy Birthday, John Wilkes Booth

Ironic how this is my 27th post and Wilkes would have been 27 come May 10, 1865.

 

On May 10, 1838, John Wilkes Booth was born to Mary Ann and Junius Booth in Bel Air, Maryland. His father was present at the time which was rare since his acting career continuously kept him on the road. Wilkes was the ninth of ten children. Six would survive to adulthood and five would live past 30. Wilkes was 26 when he died in April of 1865 and just a few weeks shy of his 27th birthday. Today marks the 176th anniversary of his birth.

When Wilkes was six months old, his mother, holding him in her arms, prayed to know what future lay in store for her then youngest child. An answer to her prayer appeared before her in the form of a vision. Years later, Wilkes' older sister, Asia, would translate the experience into a poem as a birthday gift for her mother.

The Mother’s Vision

‘Tween the passing night and the coming day
When all the house in slumber lay,
A patient mother sat low near the fire,
With that strength even nature cannot tire,
Nursing her fretful babe to sleep –
Only the angels these records keep
Of mysterious Love!

One little confiding hand lay spread
Like a white-oped lily, on that soft far bed,
The mother’s bosom, drawing strength
And contentment warm –
The fleecy head rests on her circling arm.
In her eager worship, her fearful care, Riseth to heaven a wild, mute prayer
Of Foreboding Love!

Tiny, innocent white baby-hand,
What force, what power is at your command,
For evil, or good? Be slow or be sure,
Firm to resist, to pursue, to endure –
My God, let me see what this hand shall do
In the silent years we are tending to;
In my hungering Love,

I implore to know on this ghostly night
Whether ‘twill labour for wrong, or right,
For – or against Thee?
The flame up-leapt
Like a wave of blood, an avenging arm crept
Into shape; and Country shown out in the flame,
Which fading resolved to her boy’s own name!
God had answered Love –
Impatient Love!

 

 

Right before Wilkes died he would whisper to one of the soldiers, "Tell mother I died for my country."

 

Yet, May 10, 1865 did not pass without event. On this day, 149 years ago, the trial of the Lincoln Conspirators would begin in Washington DC. Of the eight that would stand, just four would make it out of the courtroom alive.

 

 

Until next time.

 

XOXO, Kate